UFC Signs Lightweight-Turned-Featherweight Milton Vieira

The UFC has signed seasoned lightweight Milton Vieira to fight for the Zuffa-owned organization.

Vieira (13-7-1) gets a four-fight deal and will seek fighting in the promotions featherweight division, according to his manager, Nima Safapour. The date and opponent for his debut are yet to be determined.

“I see some serious anaconda chokes happening in the 145-pound division in the very near future,” Safapour told MMAWeekly.com. “Milton Vieira is to the anaconda choke what Rousimar Palhares is to the heel hook.”

MMA fans last saw Vieira doing work in the Strikeforce hexagon at the Challengers event in August 2011. He defeated Sterling Ford by submission late in the first round. The win was his third in a row.

A veteran with over 10 years of professional experience, Vieira has seen action in Pride, DEEP, M-1, and several other international fight promotions. His next stop will be the big stage of the UFC, which will surely be his toughest test to date.